The Vatican's Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life and the organizing committee for the 2027 World Youth Day (WYD) in Seoul on April 26 announced their selection of five patron saints for the event: (from left) St. Carlo Acutis, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, St. Andrew Kim Taegon, St. Josephine Bakhita and St. Pope John Paul II. (WYD Seoul's organizing committee)

By Lee Jihae

Five patron saints have been selected for next year's World Youth Day (WYD) in Seoul including Korea's first Catholic priest Andrew Kim Taegon and Pope John Paul II.

The Vatican's Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life and the event's organizing committee on April 26 announced their selections of Andrew, John Paul II, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, St. Josephine Bakhita and St. Carlo Acutis.

Andrew (1821–46) helped lay the foundation for the Catholic Church in Korea and John Paul II (1920–2005) founded WYD. Frances (1850–1917) is venerated as the patron saint of immigrants, Josephine (1869–1947) was a former sister who was enslaved and Carlo (1991–2006) is deemed a young saint of the digital age.

Each WYD selects patron saints who serve as models of faith for young people. The goal is to lead the spiritual growth of youth through the lives and spirituality of saints.

The committee said it carefully chose as patron saints from among those who embody the spiritual theme of "truth, love and peace."

The committee also introduced the interactive content feature "Find My WYD Patron Saint" (https://simte.xyz/mypatron) to raise youth understanding of their patron saints more easily and in an engaging way. The event's official website (https://wydseoul.org) also contain details on the saints' lives and spirituality.

jihlee08@korea.kr